I went though all this with my son who is now 5. Simple as it sounds its pretty much time & consistency, and being patient. Its so normal for her to want to explore her new freedom. With my son i'd just have to lay him back down for nap many times, for a long time until he learned the routine. Because he really still needed to sleep it worked. but i was like a game for him at first. Consistency is the biggest piece because if she learns how to make you give in she's probably work it. For example, my son seemed to connect when I got home later in the evening with me being to tired to put him back in his bed latter that night.
If you haven't done this already, a regular schedule helps. And something like the story or a special game to calm her, lets her understand whats coming. try to keep it enjoyable so she doesn't cry each time you pull out that book or start singing that song.
We had one book we always read, and he had a stuffed animal that played music. later on a made him a cd. we still uses cd's.
If she is really tired, you can stay with her til she falls asleep. Doing this may be necessary at first if she's really upset or ultra active, but it can drag out the process of teaching her new new routine.She will probably, now or later, try to stay awake to be with you. Or maybe wont be very tired one day. If you do this try it til it works okay. then for about a week after until you try to adjust it more.
Then, or if you can, start here, stay with her til she's almost asleep.
Or for 10 minutes.Then 5. I think, you start where you feel comfortable, so you don't back down, and then gradually make the adjustments. About a week after we got settled into one stage we'd move to the next.
When your leaving & when she's awake. leave with only a few short comforting words.
If she gets up put her back in bed each time, gently but firmly, and try not to engage her. No emotion, no distraction. Just back to bed. Maybe one line,like "its bed time now, this is your bed" or whatever you like.
This is pretty general. its important to clue into yourselves about what works. the more consistent you are the shorted it takes but it can be really hard. Hope that helps some. How well does she nap now?How's it been? What's it like now? Is she used to sleeping by herself at night? It seemed like for me we had many small challenges around this topic so it may be easier to start by getting an idea of her behavior around it.

Sorry that was so long.
Oh...darks shades or curtains. they helped us a lot.
And it took many more than handfuls of times, and many days for us.

Thanks Panorama.

She's ok when she's first put down for her nap or at bedtime. But as you mentioned, she's stumbled upon this new found "freedom" of being able to get out of bed on her own, and right now it seems a game for her.

Today, at lunch she was so exhausted - falling asleep while eating, then still was stubborn in getting up after I put her to bed for her nap. She'd get up and try and open her bedroom door and call for me. I'd quietly and calmly go back in and put her back to bed, give her a book and put on her little aquarium music (attached to the rail of her bed). She'd be fine till I left the room, then get out again shortly afterward, and the cycle continued for a about an hour, and I finally turned her bed around so she couldn't get out (I was so exhausted from not getting sleep from last night, and was also trying to get some work done).

She's used to a routine at both nap time and bedtime and like I mentioned, initially she's cooperative, but nap time is turning into a little game for her.

I guess I'll just keep being calm and persistent in continuing to tuck her right back in when she gets out of bed at nap time, and hope she'll eventually tire of the game... I hope!

Thanks for your feedback.

When my daughter had a hard time going to sleep in her own bed...routine was key. The book the song, the end. But when she was really persistant about getting out, I would sit on the end of the bed or on the floor, facing away. Not engaging just reading to myself or something, then she'd eventually pass out. Then she was down for 2 hours. Night time is more difficult. Because you are too tired to follow through. Just had to stay consistant. Stay in your own bed(firm. Good Luck

To echo what has been said, my lil one is 4.5yrs and we have to keep with the scheduled. Naps pretty much ended at 2 so I had to up the bed time to 7:30pm. Now school aged, we don't nap but bedtime is 8pm. We have a routine that we keep to even during the weekend. It's a bit hecked and gets broken occassionally but I don't hear lil feet at 2am. lol So be consistent and don't forget be patient. Try adjusting the nap schedule. And/Or face that she might be out growing the nap era. sorry

Thanks Saturated.

You're right, I think I'm beginning to face the grim reality that naps may be obsolete very soon...

She absolutely wasn't doing it - napping today - so in the 2 hours that I've been patiently trying... I realize it's not going to happen today.

I'll keep trying over the next week and see what happens. At least there's earlier bedtimes to look forward to...!

Thanks again.

Why did you convert to the toddler bed, was she able to climb out?
If not, I think I'd consider going back to the crib. Tell her that we tried it but she doesn't seem ready to stay in there yet and we can try it again later.
I also used some soothing, let's say, boring music in their room at bedtime. The same exact music every time, only for sleeping. It seemed to help them.

Thanks Thriver.

I converted it because it just seemed the right time.

Bedtimes aren't too bad, and nap times are getting better, but now it's the middle of the night that's the problem... having her come into my bed, which means lack of sleep for me.

I'm trying to stick to the putting her back to bed without reacting or providing any reinforcements for her that would encourage her to want to keep getting out. It seems to be working for naps and bedtime. She eventually gets bored of the game and stays in bed.

I'm going to keep trying this for a bit and see how it goes. But, if I had of known of the challenge that this transition would have been, I would have waited a while longer before changing her bed!

We'll see how it goes.

Thanks for the feedback.

consistancy is the key, you mention you had to go back many times, that will continue for maybe up to a week, but stick with it. she will learn that u mean busness and stop doing it. my daughter did same thing and this worked excillent for me. i sugest not turning the cot around, keep it as a bed so that she will learn that way, else you'll ahve same problem for long while. also as frustrated as your going to get, dont show her that, children crave attention, positive or negative and if she feels she getting attention out of it she'll continue.

so just keep walking her back in, saying no its nap time, or bed time and then say goodnight, nothing else, she'll get the point. children are smarter then we think :)

hope that helps

Thanks friendship star.

I've been doing all of this stuff - being consistent, persistent, and indifferent (non-reactive) as far as emotions go when putting her back to bed, and it's all working.

My only challenge now is that she still gets up in the middle of the night. I go to her room and get her to get back into her bed. But it's just hard having to get up at various times throughout the night (2, 3 or 4 in the morning). Even if it's only once or twice, it's wearing the next day, especially as a single mom, and one who works at home too (I need the energy!)

All the best.

Just keep taking her back to her bed and telling her its nap time. Everytime she gets up put her back on her bed. Don't give her a tippy cup or bottle. Same at night because she is coming in to sleep with you and if you had a boyfriend or someone with you its not right to have her stay in that habit.

Thanks Lesliann, I got it covered now. It took a couple of weeks, of her asserting and testing with her new found freedom of being able to get out of bed. But I did persevere and she stays in bed and goes to sleep now, even in the middle of the night. Persistance does pay off!

Thanks.